Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body
Ice Bath Hydrotherapy
The use of water for health purposes dates back as far as written history--at least--and is still a common naturopathic treatment modality today. Hydrotherapy is the external or internal use of water in any of its forms (water, ice, steam) for health promotion or treatment of various diseases, with a wide range of uses and methodologies.
About the study
This review compiles a large body of research involving hydrotherapy, breaking the research down into temperature of water used (i.e. cold or hot) and physiological systems affected. Some notable findings involve cold exposure (CE) for improving vasodilation and regulating blood flow, as well as daily brief cold stress to improve immune function and even improve nonlymphoid cancer survival rate.
Other conditions discussed in the review include chronic/acute pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, anorectal disorders, fatigue, anxiety, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, congenital heart failure, myocardial infarction (heart attack), rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
